SOS

noun

ˌes-(ˌ)ō-ˈes 

1

: an internationally recognized signal of distress in radio code ‧ ‧ ‧ - - - ‧ ‧ ‧ used especially by ships calling for help

2

: a call or request for help or rescue

Examples of SOS in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

InReach is used to send messages to other people using the Garmin Messenger app, to ping your location to them and for SOS alerts. —Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

The Apple iPhone 14 smartphone now has a $100 discount, giving you smooth performance, great cameras, and safety features like Emergency SOS via satellite without stretching your budget. —Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 2 Sep. 2025

This feature will enable emergency SOS functionality and potentially text messaging in remote areas without cellular or Wi-Fi coverage. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2025

Emergency calls can still be made in SOS mode. —Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for SOS

• bless
• chess
• cress
• dress
• es
• ess
• esse
• fess
• guess
• jess
• less
• lesse

Kids Definition

SOS

noun

ˌes-(ˌ)ō-ˈes 

ˌes-ə-ˈwes

1

: an international radio code distress signal used by ships and aircraft calling for help

2

: a call for help

Medical Definition

SOS

abbreviation

if occasion require; if necessary

—used in writing prescriptions

Etymology

Latin si opus sit